Sounding like a sock-hop holiday dance party that got well out of hand,
Psychobilly Christmas
features manic contemporary rockabilly bands delivering Christmas songs in intriguingly twisted versions, and it's plenty of fun, a far cry from the usual holiday fare. Among the highlights of this kinetic set are the reverbed, near-surf instrumental version of "We Three Kings" by
Reverend Horton Heat
that starts things rolling, the rampaging "I'm Getting Pissed for Christmas" by
Bamboula
, a buzzing romp through "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" by
Thee Merry Widows
, the speed-racing "Run Rudolph Run" by
the Kraneos
, and the hillbilly blast (complete with a blisteringly manic sax solo) of
the Load Levelers
' take on "Blue Christmas," although the whole playlist percolates pretty well, with the pedal always down and rocking. Here's betting Santa has this in his player. ~ Steve Leggett